PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist Review

PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist is an iOS and Android game that knows why its audience is buying the title, as it focuses on one of the most popular YouTubers around: PewDiePie. But even though the game has the fan base of the individual to push sales, the developer Outerminds has created a solid game that could well stand on its own.

Story-wise, PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist has you focusing on the main protagonist of the game: PewDiePie, who has to recover his fans from the King Barrel. Effectively, the gist of it all is that PewDiePie’s fans have been kidnapped by barrels to acquire “The Legendary Brofist”, and you must go on an epic adventure that spans the globe (and the Moon), to free them.

The story is a bit weird, but at the core of it, it’s effectively rescue the damsel in distress, with the fans of an immensely popular YouTuber being the damsel. The story wasn’t anything too amazing, but it’s enjoyable, light, and easy to follow for anyone to get what is going on.

More enjoyably, you’ll come across different cast of characters on your adventure. PewDiePie is not the only YouTuber in this iPhone and iPad game. You’ll also have the pleasure of meeting Markiplier, Cryaotic, Jacksepticye, Marzia, CinnamonToastKen, and even a duck! What makes your encounter with these YouTubers special is that each and every one of them is voiced by the actual YouTubers themselves. So if you’re a particular fan of any one of them, then you’ll be in for a nice treat when you first come in to contact with them.

This Android game is a 2D side-scrolling platformer, with some truly gorgeous pixel-art work, reminiscent of the 16-bit era of gaming, and it’s an aesthetic that really helps to push the game. I found it very difficult to find any instance of the game that just didn’t look great, with the exception of one of the character portraits, which just doesn’t look right. Something about the smile on the portrait just ruined the overall image for that character, but other than that particular instance, the rest of the artwork was flawless.

A 2D side-scrolling platformer on touchscreen devices, one of the few genres that don’t tend to work out well when it comes to touchscreen controls. PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist, however, keeps things very simple, and manages to create controls on a platform they are very hard to get right, and yet does it without issue.

On the left side of the screen, you have your movement, and on the right you have access to a jump button. The controls may sound simple, but after a few minutes you’ll find yourself really appreciating them, as they really are some tight controls, that will not make your character feel floaty and even make this platformer feel like it belongs on touchscreen devices. Now, that’s not an easy feat, since pretty much every platformer I’ve had the pleasure of trying on iOS devices didn’t pan out so well, and yet with PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist, I quickly found myself beating the game, and then going in for some more on the harder difficulty. Simply put, it’s very difficult to get touchscreen controls done right, but this game has easily managed it.

The developer from the outset has made it very clear their opinions on in-app purchases, since there is not a single one in sight, and instead want you as a player to have to actually rely on your skills, instead of your wallet.

This iPhone and iPad game, instead of having in-app purchases, has in-game currency which you can earn by going through levels, collecting money, or you can gain it through the level bonus once you have finished the level. This bonus is determined on how well you’ve done on a stage, what difficulty you’ve done the level on, and just how many companions you have left alive.

Companions are used to save you from certain doom, from when you fall off a platform onto some deadly spikes, or your health points have reached zero. Once one of those has occurred, your companion will dolphin dive to save you, taking away 1 of 2 companion uses you have. If they have to save you twice, then they’re gone, and you’re on your own from there! A nice feature about the companions is that each character has their own individual ones that are unique to them. PewDiePie and Marzia have their dogs, whereas Markiplier has the old fan favorite of Tiny Box Tim.

Back to in-game currency, and what you can do with it. In-game currency can be used to upgrade your chosen character, by increasing their maximum health, or by purchasing attack or defense abilities. As well as the regular controls, you also have access to two buttons that correspond to one attack ability and one defensive one. Some abilities are unique to a character, like Markiplier who has his pink mustache grow to a tremendous size to gain the ability to double jump and glide. Then there’s the 360 No Scope that will kill pretty much anyone on screen, which can be used by any character you please.

The main genre of this Android game may be a 2D platformer, but not all levels have you just running all the way to the right, traversing whatever may be in your way. There are levels where you have to survive for as long as you can, or continue to collect items on a small stage until you’ve got them all. These different levels keep things fresh while you’re making your way through the game, and it’s a nice way of changing things up a tad.

Personally, I may not be a die hard fan of PewDiePie but that did not stop me from enjoying PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist immensely. The multiple levels of difficulty will have you coming back to the game to see if you can handle the levels on a much challenging scale. Hell, I’m still playing the game now, and I’ve already beaten once! It’s so easy to recommend this game, as it just seems to get everything right. The controls are solid even on touchscreen; the levels are varied and will provide some challenge the first time through, and the overall aesthetic of it all with the pixel-art graphics is just stunning. Voice acting from some of the most loved YouTubers around is a wonderful touch if you’re a fan of any one of them as well.

Bottom Line

Graphics

Gameplay

Controls

Presentation

Replay Value

Summary: If you’re a fan of PewDiePie, then you’ll love PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist and the silly story tied to it. Yet even if you’re not a fan, it’s still a very solid game for iOS and Android that is very enjoyable to play; there is no two ways around that fact and makes it one very easy recommendation, even if it just a tad on the short side!